First off, thank you all for being willing to come on an adventure with me! Now, to business.
- I will post every day. I hope everyone can post every weekday and at least once over the weekend, but stuff happens - which leads me to:
- I will bot you (when needed) if we haven't heard from you in 24 hours. Please include botting instructions in your character profile, or I will have to get creative in the most entertaining (for me) way possible. Please also let me know if you are expecting an extended period of absence so I can PM you and preemptively hash out major decision points to keep the story moving. On a related note:
- I will make "reactive" rolls to keep the story moving along. If you want to make a roll as part of an action/decision/etc, please do so. I might modify the skill used or add circumstantial bonuses/penalties based on circumstances. Which brings me to my final point:
- I will happily add circumstantial bonuses (or penalties) for roleplaying. I hope, for example, that you will accompany your diplomacy check with what your character is actually saying. It makes it so much easier for me to respond if you give me material, and we make such a more fulfilling and exciting story together.
If you're worried or concerned about something, post it here or PM me. We can figure something out so you have a good time.
In addition to making “reactive” rolls for characters, I also like to roll Knowledge checks for players so I can tailor what a character might remember about a creature. If this will be a problem for you, let me know (either here or via PM) and we’ll work something out.
We’ll be using block initiative during encounters - whenever possible, I will strive to resolve actions inside each block in initiative order. Since there’s not very many of us and we’ll be playing together for quite some time, please discuss amongst yourselves how you can support each other and work together as a team - both in and out of combat. I highly encourage tactics such as:
McSwordFace waits until her friend Blessings Galore has a chance to cast a buff before she attacks the horrible people preaching about "justice".
This helps us work effectively as a team even if posting schedules don’t line up in a beneficial way.
If your post is entirely , let’s put it here instead of in the Gameplay thread.
- 20 point stat buy
- PFS-legal options always allowed, other options allowed with GM permission
- - If an option is illegal in PFS because of an alignment restriction, it will very likely be permitted here.
- Two traits (one of which must be a campaign trait from the Player's Guide), optional drawback for third trait
This AP starts at level 1 and has the potential to reach level 17 before concluding. It would be beneficial to me as a GM to have at least a rough idea of where each character’s build is heading, so think about the following and let me know as much as possible:
- Background and personality
- Role, both in and out of combat
- Starting stats
- Feat progression
- Classes
- Primary and Secondary skills
Even though this is an evil campaign with evil characters, you are still expected to work together as a team. Why you work together though is something I would like to hear about in a discussion about your personality and backstory.
I asked each of you to play based off my previous experiences with you, so I trust you to have fun. That being said, we have a few extra items of business due to the nature of this particular AP:
- This campaign can get really really really dark. If you feel uncomfortable regarding anything, please let me know now (via this thread or PM) so I can not dwell long on or skip over/replace/avoid those subjects.
- A character whose motivations are simply "to screw with my companions" will be very disruptive to everyone's fun and not tolerated - by both the other PCs and the GM.
With only four players, it would be beneficial to ensure there are no large skills/abilities missing from the party.
About Me: I’ve done a bit of PFS and PbP GMing, but I am certainly not perfect. If you have ideas for how I could do something better, a disagreement with a decision, or confusion over what I’m saying, please let me know via the Discussion thread or PM.
Alright, your turn - what kind of character do you want to play?
Organized Play Line Developer
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Hi, everyone! Happy to be here.
Advanced warning for everyone: during the summer months I'll make an effort to post every day, but I'm more likely to post every other day. These next two months are hectic for me. Also, from now through the first week of July, is crazy busy around my house, so I'm unlikely to check in too often during that time.
As to what I want to play... I haven't had a chance to get plotting yet or give the player's guide a read, but I do know that I don't want to be the trapfinder of the party, I don't want to be the religious one, and I don't want to be the planar/devil expert. Other than that, I'm happy being any other role. Does anyone else have a niche they do NOT want to fill before we get started in character creation? Or one they definitely do want to cover?
I'll try to make the time to delve into my books and figure out what I want to play within the next few days.
Greetings, and thank you for having me! Everything I'm about to post should be taken with a grain of salt, as nothing is set in stone yet.
My character, Vergio Centha, is a half-elf ex-member of the Sczarni crime family operating from Varisia. He was working alongside an ally he trusted in a bid to secure land under his own name, but prior to securing the deal his "ally" forged papers that tied Vergio to a previous arson that destroyed another Sczarni family members manor. Fleeing his home country of Varisia, Vergio is seeking power in Cheliax.
The betrayal of a trusted family member has left Vergio bitter, and his previous mindset of following the "rules" of the land are slowly falling to the wayside. He isn't mad or foolish, but he can be volatile and unpredictable when he considers the expectations of others to be holding him back. Despite throwing himself into a new land with no wealth and no power to his name, he found that his ruthless drive to carve a name for himself has caught the eyes of those in power, and suspects that he may be on the path to success.
In a bid to gain power in the land where devils reign, and as a result of his now chaotic nature, Vergio has already put in motion several plans in a grand conspiracy for each to undermine the other. He has promised his soul to a Devil of Hell , but intends to pledge himself to a Daemon of Abaddon
His ultimate goal is both personal power, but he currently believes the best route for that is increasing the power of those he's sworn his patronage to.
His starting stats are:
8 Strength
8 Dexterity
12 Constitution
14 Intelligence
10 Wisdom
20 Charisma
He will function as a face out of combat, starting (and progressing) the following skills:
More skills will be gained as his Intelligence rises with the various Lore Revelations, particularly favoring on expanding his knowledges (likely taking Planes next, then Religion). In combat, he fights using spells exclusively, but his decent AC (20) leaves him relatively comfortable in the thick of things.
I'm in the process of writing my write-up, but there's one thing I wanna say before anyone gets any ideas:
I am a Red Mantis Assassin. I am a Red Mantis Assassin. There is NOTHING any of you can say that will dissuade me from being that, because BY EVERY GOD IN THE MULTIVERSE I WILL PLAY A MANTIS ASSASSIN IF IT'S THE LAST THING I DO AND THIS IS MY BEST CHANCE, DAD-GUMMIT!!!!
*Ahem* Sorry, I apparently took a level in medium and started channeling the "tantruming child" spirit there. But nonetheless my underlying point remains.
Determination and thorough investigation led Sicaria to discover one of the honor guard had been sending funds over to Nirmathas, so Sicaria struck. She caught the man in a drunken stupor and killed him in a back alley. At that moment the captain had happened to pass and see the deed done and was furious. He declared Sicaria a blasphemer and a heretic for killing a fellow member of the church and before the woman could explain her actions the paladin drew his sword and sliced a deep gash across her face.
She would have died then and there if not for a flash of red that fell from the rooftops and knocked the paladin of Iomedae to the ground. Before her stood a crimson-clad man bearing two serrated blades. The man removed his insectoid mask and to Sicaria’s astonishment it was another member of the honor guard—the true assassin.
Just as the crimson assassin was about to deal the killing blow to the paladin and captain, Sicaria bid him to stop, revealing herself to the assassin in the process. Anger coursed through her mind—the hypocrisy that it would be heretical to kill when that’s precisely what she’s already been doing. The crimson assassin must have seen the ferocity in her eyes, for the man passed her one of his weapons and together the two dealt the final blow to the paladin.
Sicaria followed the man, abandoning her previous name in favor of one more in tune with her new patron and ran away with her crimson savior to Cheliax where she would train in the order of the Red Mantis. She has turned away from much of her sense of empathy in favor of the art of the kill—something she was already so attuned to doing in the first place. She has finally managed to finish her training and has been sent to Longacre for a potential contract to be undertaken.
I’ll be honest, the early levels for Sicaria are gonna be hard, but I honestly think that I’ll have a lot of fun with her fun playing with her fun being her fun having her as my player character
Okay, ignore the first one, this is the official first printing. In the story I've tried to implement as much of the information from the Player's Guide as possible. Do our PCs know each other?
"Reaffirm your loyalty to Thrune and Cheliax and prove your devotion by swearing the Hellfire Compact," Vigo read the words aloud with a smug, if slightly annoyed, smile. "They go nuts for people making promises here don't they." His conversation partner was a commandment from Her Infernal Majestrix, Queen Abrogail II herself; reportedly one had been sent to loyal subjects in every village, town, and city in the nation. Unfortunately, it had now become a crumpled mess lying in the corner of a room at The Last Stand Tavern; a sad excuse for an inn located in Longacre, a sad excuse for a town that was just full of unhappy, unruly, ungrateful citizens.
"And oh, I love those promises too." it was now his robes he muttered to, black and red as is traditional of Asmodean garb. A god that Vigo most definitely has faith in to lead and guide him. Vigo had made sure it was sworn before a church, scribed and all. The outfit was black silk and embroidered with the twisting crimson branches associated with the church—and by extension, the government. While the symbology didn't truly mean anything to him, he nevertheless always made sure the outfit was immaculate. Grooming and appearances were key elements in the game of politics.
"They always think they're the ones playing the long con. Idiots, the lot of them." He grabbed a candlestick from his bedside table and snapped it in half over knee. With a quick prayer and gesture of the hand, divine magic sprouts from Vigo's hands to repair the broken lightpiece. He smiled. Still got it.
Not long ago Vigo had consigned himself to the service of a devil in exchange for power. Not long from now Vigo is going to consign himself to the service of a daemon in exchange for power.
"And now," Vigo said as he finished his ensemble with a combination of Chelish parade armor and a shield adorned with the Chelish national flag, "I'm going to go consign myself to this queen in exchange for power. Oh how I love this land." With one final comb of his slick black hair, Vigo Graviano finishes his morning ritual. "Now let's go find this Cimri Staelish."
. . .
Despite the impression he makes sure everyone sees, Vigo isn't Chelish. Rather he hails from Riddleport back in Varisia. He was a Sczarni, or at least he was until he'd made the mistake of trusting one the crime syndicate's family members. They were working together to blackmail and bankrupt a noble, an easy enough job when you know the right strings to pull. Everything was going to plan until somehow another Sczarni manor caught fire and somehow his insignia had gotten there and somehow one of their slaves is certain he saw Vigo on the manor grounds. It was a power move and Vigo lost, forced to flee Varisia via the Darklands. Now in Cheliax, Vigo's taken quite nicely to the new nation. He's quickly learned that intimidation and deceit are powerful tools in Cheliax, and this nation is rapidly becoming what he considers his homeland. Ever the social sophisticate, he's put great effort into learning about Chelish culture and intends to rise to power in the aristocracy, and potentially, the extraplanar. In true Chelish fashion Vigo's Oracle abilities come from an Infernal source, though he couldn't exactly tell you what. His memory of the event is hazy at best, like trying to remember the details of a dream through frosted glass. He knows two thing though: he doesn't regret whatever bargain he made, and that devil was just going to be a stepping stone on his rise to power. Vigo was already reaching his mind out in search of a new ally, another source of strength. He would take the ugly and destructive power of the daemons and combine it with the elegant and conspiratory abilities of devils, and let them both believe that they're the ones deceiving him. In the end, he will win.
If we're allowed age rules his stats will be slightly different.
Strength: 8
Dexterity: 8
Constitution: 12
Intelligence: 14
Wisdom: 10
Charisma: 20
In combat, with his high AC of 20 Vigo isn't afraid of being targeted by attacks. At his current level and with his limited spells, what he'll be "attacking" with is the spell Command and using "Approach," trying to lead a target through his allies to provoke attacks of opportunity. If not using Command, he'll more likely use Intimidate to demoralize a foe. He'll eventually gain the ability to make demoralization fear effects stack (Shaken to Frighten to Panicked) and demoralize as a swift action.
Out of Combat Vigo is just as comfortable in a duel of words, using deception and intimidation to get results. He also always makes sure he knows the right people to know. These are his skills so far:
He also has Abadar's Truthtelling prepared so that he can ensure we're always being told the truth.
Faith Trait: Fate's Favored
Faction Trait (Sczarni): Bad Reputation
Campaign Trait: Erratic Malefactor
Drawback Trait: Paranoid
Feats: Skill Focus (Bluff), Noble Scion of War
Alternate Racial Traits: Underworld Guide, Sophisticate, Fey Thoughts (Bluff, Perception)
At Levels 3, 5, 7, and 9, Vigo intends to take the Damnation Feats and desires a daemon patron. We'll see how he goes from there, he'll be favoring spellcasting for sure.
He'll progress entirely as an Ancient Lorekeeper Lore Oracle, starting with Sidestep Secret to get Charisma to AC and Reflex Saves. Going forward he'll be taking the various knowledge themed revelations.
He has the Hellbound Curse, making it impossible for him to cast spells with the Good or Chaotic descriptors but providing a +2 Bonus to Bluff and Intimidate.
Whew. I think that's everything. The only purchases I've included in his bonuses are the AC of Studded Leather Armor and a Heavy Wooden Shield because I wasn't sure about starting gold.
Any other information I can get for the GM or my fellow players?
@Vigo: Abadar’s Truthtelling can only be taken by worshipers of Abadar; that’s what the “(Abadar)” in the AoN page signifies.
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Hello, hello, sorry I’m late - just saw the GM’s message with the link to the thread. I had already put together a couple of PC concepts in Hero Lab, and seeing what Vigo and Sicaria have come up with - and what Meloriel has said she doesn't want to play - has helped narrow it down.
Concept 1, probably the one I'll go with (subject to GM Hawthwile's answers about legality, or if it conflicts with somebody else's plans), is in the spoiler below. Backstory and build plans over time to follow.
Daemon-spawn tiefling unchained rogue (eldritch scoundrel) 1 (Pathfinder Player Companion: Blood of Fiends 19, Pathfinder Player Companion: Arcane Anthology 23, Pathfinder RPG Bestiary 264, Pathfinder Unchained 20)
NE Medium outsider (native)
Init +5; Senses darkvision 60 ft.; Perception +4
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Defense
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AC 14, touch 14, flat-footed 10 (+4 Dex)
hp 9 (1d8+1)
Fort +1, Ref +6, Will +0
Resist cold 5, electricity 5, fire 5
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Offense
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Speed 30 ft.
Melee dagger +4 (1d4+1/19-20) or
dagger +4 (1d4+1/19-20) or
rapier +4 (1d6+1/18-20) or
sap +4 (1d6+1 nonlethal)
Ranged shortbow +4 (1d6/×3)
Spell-Like Abilities (CL 1st; concentration +1)
1/day—death knell (DC 11)
unchained rogue (Eldritch Scoundrel) Spells Prepared (CL 1st; concentration +5)
1st—color spray (DC 15), vanish[APG] (DC 15)
0 (at will)—detect magic, ray of frost, read magic
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Statistics
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Str 12, Dex 18, Con 13, Int 16, Wis 10, Cha 8
Base Atk +0; CMB +1; CMD 15
Feats Spell Focus (illusion), Weapon Finesse
Traits amoral mercenary, arcane temper, scholar of the great beyond
Skills Acrobatics +8, Disable Device +11, Knowledge (arcana) +7, Knowledge (local) +7, Perception +4, Sense Motive +1, Sleight of Hand +10, Spellcraft +7, Stealth +8; Racial Modifiers +2 Disable Device, +2 Sleight of Hand
Languages Abyssal, Common, Halfling, Infernal, Orc
SQ cowardly, prehensile tail[ARG], spells, trapfinding +1
Other Gear arrows (20), dagger, dagger, rapier, sap, shortbow, sb1, thieves' tools, 24 gp
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Special Abilities
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Cowardly +5 ft base speed when frightened & fleeing, & the penalty for cower & fear conditions are +1
Darkvision (60 feet) You can see in the dark (black and white only).
Energy Resistance, Cold (5) You have the specified Energy Resistance against Cold attacks.
Energy Resistance, Electricity (5) You have the specified Energy Resistance against Electricity attacks.
Energy Resistance, Fire (5) You have the specified Energy Resistance against Fire attacks.
Prehensile Tail Your tail can retrieve small objects on your person as a swift action.
Spell Focus (Illusion) Spells from one school of magic have +1 to their save DC.
Spells Can cast wizard spells with the number of slots of a magus.
Trapfinding +1 Gain a bonus to find or disable traps, including magical ones.
@Vigo: Abadar’s Truthtelling can only be taken by worshipers of Abadar; that’s what the “(Abadar)” in the AoN page signifies.
Correct, and Vigo most definitely doesn't worship anyone but Asmodeus and definitely doesn't try to get help from any other gods.
A theme of the character is that he's trying to get his hand in every pot. His chaotic aspect is willingness to go to anyone or anything for more power, if he thinks it will help him climb the food chain. His loyalties are fickle and may not last long, but he's honest when he gives his word.
All of this, of course, is subject to GM approval and working with the party. Just the initial idea.
That said, there is a Pathfinder Society specific rule that says you must be within one step of your patron deity, of which Vigo is two steps from Abadar. Is this okay?
I’m more than a little used to that PFS rule, but that is certainly subject to GM discretion. Just thought I’d bring it up.
Hello, hello, sorry I’m late - just saw the GM’s message with the link to the thread. I had already put together a couple of PC concepts in Hero Lab, and seeing what Vigo and Sicaria have come up with - and what Meloriel has said she doesn't want to play - has helped narrow it down.
Concept 1, probably the one I'll go with (subject to GM Hawthwile's answers about legality, or if it conflicts with somebody else's plans), is in the spoiler below. Backstory and build plans over time to follow.
** spoiler omitted **...
I like the look of this Wolfgang! Eldritch Scoundrel covers a lot of missing ground in terms of skills and is dripping with both personality and versatility.
I'll begin working on my sheet and hopefully have it up by tonight, provided Vigo's legal.
Awesome to see these builds! Clarifications/notes:
@Everyone:
- Starting wealth is 150 gp - sorry for forgetting to include that in the initial post.
@Sicaria:
- Have you looked at the Diverse Obedience feat? That would allow you both earlier access to lead blades and access to 3rd lvl warpriest spells.
- What kind of magical creature were you raised by for Magical Knack, and which class are you applying the benefits to?
@Vigo:
- If we were starting with characters higher than lvl 5, I would be more open to old age penalties/bonuses as they would make some sense with the character's level of experience. For a lvl 1 character, I'm going to say no.
- Keep in mind that you'll need to find a patron daemon for the Damnation feats (either through the events of the story or via some other method such as summoning) before he can start taking the Damnation feats. Granted, some outsiders might be easier to find in Cheliax than others...
- I can't find the Bad Reputation trait anywhere - can you provide a link? And based on the wording, it might thematically be mutually exclusive with Noble Scion (War).
- While I can understand Vigo worming his way into every organization he can get his fingers into, a noble family isn't going to train and raise just anyone in their family's secrets. Can we work more time spent with the family into Vigo's background? I'll have to do some more investigating before I have a noble family name in mind, but I think we can make it work - especially if the family sent Vigo to Longacre for family matters.
- Speaking of Noble Scion, have you looked at the Enlightened Noble feat?
- If we're going to use Fey Thoughts, let's use it all the way and incorporate it into Vigo's worldview. How do his fey-like thoughts shape his actions and decisions? Right now it just feels like something slapped on to get a few skills in-class.
- Since Abadar is the one granting use of the spell, he's going to be somewhat fussy about who he grants it to. Vigo can "worship" Abadar, but the deity won't grant him access to any spells (or other powers) while his alignment is so far removed from Abadar's own.
- I can't find the Underworld Guide alternative racial trait. Are you referring to Darklands Guide? If so, how has Vigo been involved in the Darklands?
- Once Vigo's profile is up, I'm eager to see what all is going into his AC.
@Tusk:
- I wonder why PFS doesn't allow that combination of archetype and unchained rogue. I'm not seeing any problems with it off the top of my head, so go for it! Are you planning to focus more on spellcasting or sneak attacks?
- Can't wait to read the backstory/personality for the character.
Everyone's looking good so far - I'm not seeing any red flags or anything that makes me worried. Meloriel has mentioned that they'll be busy these first few weeks of July, so it might be a slower start to this campaign until everyone is ready to go. That being said, I would prefer to wait and play with an awesome group that trusts each other than rush forward and strain what are likely to be already tense working relationships between the PCs.
What other questions can I answer, or would you like to discuss something I haven't thought of?
Awesome to see these builds! Clarifications/notes:
@Everyone:
- Starting wealth is 150 gp - sorry for forgetting to include that in the initial post.@Vigo:
- If we were starting with characters higher than lvl 5, I would be more open to old age penalties/bonuses as they would make some sense with the character's level of experience. For a lvl 1 character, I'm going to say no.
Aye aye captain!
- Keep in mind that you'll need to find a patron daemon for the Damnation feats (either through the events of the story or via some other method such as summoning) before he can start taking the Damnation feats. Granted, some outsiders might be easier to find in Cheliax than others...
Hopefully he'll have the luck he needs then. Fate has favored him so far! Ideally his hunt for an outsider of such nature can make for an interesting plot hook or force to drive Vigo forward.
- I can't find the Bad Reputation trait anywhere - can you provide a link? And based on the wording, it might thematically be mutually exclusive with Noble Scion (War).
I can't seem to find it online either, but it's a Sczarni faction trait from before the Sczarni were disbanded. It's listed on Page 13 of the Pathfinder Society Guide to Organized Play, the Season Four edition. It gives a +2 trait bonus to Intimidate and makes Intimidate a class skill.
- While I can understand Vigo worming his way into every organization he can get his fingers into, a noble family isn't going to train and raise just anyone in their family's secrets. Can we work more time spent with the family into Vigo's background? I'll have to do some more investigating before I have a noble family name in mind, but I think we can make it work - especially if the family sent Vigo to Longacre for family matters.
I'd love to integrate his history better into the story, absolutely.
- If we're going to use Fey Thoughts, let's use it all the way and incorporate it into Vigo's worldview. How do his fey-like thoughts shape his actions and decisions? Right now it just feels like something slapped on to get a
few skills in-class.
The capriciousness of the Fey were something Vigo saw as another strength that many might consider a weakness. Like the fey, his favor and loyalties can be fickle and short lived. Their words often have as much truth to them Rovagug has mercy, and the same is true for Vigo. He shares their curiosity and recklessness as well, seeking power in new toys and scrolls and baubles, and doesn't hesitate throwing himself into danger. He does of course share their ugliest of traits as well: cruelty.
- Since Abadar is the one granting use of the spell, he's going to be somewhat fussy about who he grants it to. Vigo can "worship" Abadar, but the deity won't grant him access to any spells (or other powers) while his alignment is so far removed from Abadar's own.
For now Vigo will have no patron deity, his love for Abadar was for his abilities to force the truth. Vigo's ever tumultuous loyalties make it impossible for him to truly devote himself to a god.
- I can't find the Underworld Guide alternative racial trait. Are you referring to Darklands Guide? If so, how has Vigo been involved in the Darklands?
That is what I meant, I was using an app and forgot to change the "copyright free" name. Mentioned in his background, he used the tunnels and sprawling underground cities to travel from the nation of Varisia to Cheliax safe from the eyes of the surface.
- Once Vigo's profile is up, I'm eager to see what all is going into his AC.
10 Base + 5 Charisma from Sidestep Secret Lore Revelation + 3 Armor Bonus from Chelish Parade Armor + 2 Shield Bonus from Heavy Wooden Shield.
That being said, I would prefer to wait and play with an awesome group that trusts each other than rush forward and strain what are likely to be already tense working relationships between the PCs.
Agreed, I'm looking forward to a team of diabolic ne'er do wells!
Why have I never read Diverse Obedience all the way through before?! I'm definitely reworking things now!
Honestly, I forgot about the flavor of Magical Knack and I personally can't think of a dang thing for it XD I'd gladly take input from others as to the magical creature that raised me, but if nothing can be thought up then I'll just switch it out for another trait. And Magical Knack would apply to warpriest (Hero Lab didn't note that for some reason).
In response to Meloriel's stuff: I really really want to get going with this, don't get me wrong, but I agree that it'd likely not be the best idea to jump right into it all when not everyone is in a situation where they can consistently post. Besides, I've got a family thing going on from July 4th through the 8th where I told myself I'd take a break from Pathfinder, so waiting through the first-ish week of July doesn't bother me, all things considered.
@Vigo: I notice you didn't mention healing when talking about roles. Are you going to be taking healing spells?
I think Infernal Healing would make a suitable replacement spell for Abadar's Truthtelling. That said, if healing was a niche you wanted to fill, I can easily find other spells.
You’re an oracle anyway. You get the cure spells for free—unless you wanted the inflict spells.
You’re an oracle anyway. You get the cure spells for free—unless you wanted the inflict spells.
Good call, I crossed the mental beams of Cleric and Oracle and was mistakenly thinking I had to take inflict. Then yes, I'll have cure spells on my list of spells, now to find that last spell... Comprehend Languages perhaps?
Honestly, I forgot about the flavor of Magical Knack and I personally can't think of a dang thing for it XD I'd gladly take input from others as to the magical creature that raised me, but if nothing can be thought up then I'll just switch it out for another trait. And Magical Knack would apply to warpriest (Hero Lab didn't note that for some reason).
Perhaps she grew up tended for by the Eidolon of an unattentive parent?
Honestly, I forgot about the flavor of Magical Knack and I personally can't think of a dang thing for it XD I'd gladly take input from others as to the magical creature that raised me, but if nothing can be thought up then I'll just switch it out for another trait. And Magical Knack would apply to warpriest (Hero Lab didn't note that for some reason).Perhaps she grew up tended for by the Eidolon of an unattentive parent?
Or the honor guard member who introduced Sicaria into the Red Mantis was a doppelganger.
@Meloriel: Looking things over I see that I’m pretty much the only thing in the front line and at early levels (and later levels to a certain extent) I’m rather squishy. I think we’re a bit in need of a tank of some sort.
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Wolfgang (pronounced "Vulfgang," of course) will focus on stabbing all the things. Spells are great, but the results can be unpredictable when used on other people. Wolfgang studies magic to make himself - and the people he is occasionally forced by circumstance or contract to depend on - better at stabbing. He'll be happy to have a flanking buddy in Sicaria (but won't be overly impressed by the cultish mumbo-jumbo of the Red Mantises).
That's not to say he won't ever use magic offensively, but he can't prepare very many spells and prefers to focus on illusion and transmutation spells to cast on himself and his allies (so he doesn't have to worry about opponents making their saves). He will generally have one or two splashy area of effect spells in reserve in case of emergency, but believes they lack subtlety and may wreck the goodies.
@Meloriel - He can be the primary arcane caster, but there is plenty of room for a full caster if that's what you'd like to play - there would be almost no overlap with a blaster, summoner, battlefield controller, diviner, or necromancer (just off the top of my head).
Wolfgang comes from a large town or small city a few days' ride from Longacre. At home, he worked for whichever gang or group of thugs wanted to pay him, but he was rarely offered a long-term contract and never accepted them when offered. He thought most of the goons who hired him were idiots, and made no effort to hide his opinions. Wolfgang's minor tricks and illusions, combined with his natural stealth and talent with a blade, kept him in demand for one-off jobs that paid well enough.
Eventually, though, Wolfgang's luck ran out. He and the partner he had been given for a minor bit of burglary were surprised in the act by the owner of the shop they had broken into. Wolfgang panicked and quickly cast a spell. He vanished from sight and escaped (with the object of their burglary), while his partner took the shopkeeper's crossbow bolt in his throat.
In the aftermath of that incident, Wolfgang began to understand the cost of his insistence on remaining a freelancer. When he reported to his employer to deliver the item they had been sent to obtain, the gang leader barely glanced at it; instead, he demanded to know the whereabouts of Wolfgang's partner for the job. Wolfgang told the man what had happened without remorse, and was completely unprepared for the blaze of anger the news triggered, not just in his employer but also among the other gang members within earshot. Apparently the petty thief was a well-liked younger sibling of one of another member of the gang, and the group was not pleased that - as they saw it - Wolfgang, to whom they felt no particular affection or loyalty, had left him to die alone.
Wolfgang did the only reasonable thing and left town that evening. By the time he arrived in Longacre, he had changed his surname (keeping his given name so that if he is recognized, he will not be immediately given away if addressed as "Wolfgang"), and his attitude towards working alone. If his trouble at home was due to his failure to build any loyalty among the people he worked for, then he would not make the same mistake when starting over. In Longacre, he decided to start off by taking jobs from whoever was hiring, but as soon as he had the lay of the land, he would seek out the most powerful group in need of his services and do everything he could to earn a long-term position. When he hears that House Thrune itself is seeking new agents, he knows that this is the job for him, fiendish blood, unlikeable personality, and occasional cowardice be damned.
I've roughed out what Wolfgang might look like at level 10, which has me thinking about tweaks to make before we start. I'm particularly concerned about his Perception skill; even with trapfinding, his modifier at level 10 is pretty low. I may also substitute Skill Focus (Perception) or Alertness for one of the mid-level feats in the version below, and I'm open to suggestions.
Male daemon-spawn tiefling unchained rogue (eldritch scoundrel) 10 (Pathfinder Player Companion: Blood of Fiends 19, Pathfinder Player Companion: Arcane Anthology 23, Pathfinder RPG Bestiary 264, Pathfinder Unchained 20)
NE Medium outsider (native)
Init +7; Senses darkvision 60 ft.; Perception +13
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Defense
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AC 17, touch 17, flat-footed 10 (+6 Dex, +1 dodge)
hp 73 (10d8+20)
Fort +5, Ref +13, Will +3
Defensive Abilities evasion; Resist cold 5, electricity 5, fire 5
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Offense
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Speed 30 ft.
Melee dagger +13/+8 (1d4+1/19-20) or
dagger +13/+8 (1d4+1/19-20) or
rapier +13/+8 (1d6+6/18-20) or
sap +13/+8 (1d6+1 nonlethal)
Ranged shortbow +13/+8 (1d6/×3)
Special Attacks sneak attack (unchained) +3d6
Spell-Like Abilities (CL 10th; concentration +10)
1/day—death knell (DC 11)
unchained rogue (Eldritch Scoundrel) Spells Prepared (CL 10th; concentration +15)
4th—dimension door (2)
3rd—displacement, fireball (DC 17), fly, major image (DC 18)
2nd—cat's grace, false life, invisibility, mirror image, spider climb
1st—expeditious retreat, mage armor, shield, silent image (DC 16), true strike, vanish[APG] (DC 16)
0 (at will)—detect magic, mage hand, open/close (DC 14), ray of frost, read magic
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Statistics
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Str 12, Dex 23, Con 14, Int 18, Wis 10, Cha 8
Base Atk +7; CMB +8; CMD 25
Feats Accomplished Sneak Attacker, Arcane Strike, Combat Casting, Dodge, Spell Focus (illusion), Weapon Finesse
Traits amoral mercenary, arcane temper, scholar of the great beyond
Skills Acrobatics +19, Appraise +8, Bluff +3, Disable Device +26, Escape Artist +14, Knowledge (arcana) +17, Knowledge (dungeoneering) +8, Knowledge (history) +6, Knowledge (local) +17, Knowledge (planes) +11, Perception +13, Sense Motive +5, Sleight of Hand +12, Spellcraft +17, Stealth +19; Racial Modifiers +2 Disable Device, +2 Sleight of Hand
Languages Abyssal, Celestial, Common, Halfling, Infernal, Orc
SQ alarm sense, cowardly, debilitating injury: bewildered, debilitating injury: disoriented, debilitating injury: hampered, prehensile tail[ARG], rogue talents, rogue talents (bleeding attack +3, fast stealth), spells, tiefling rogue/ninja, trapfinding +5
Other Gear arrows (20), dagger, dagger, rapier, sap, shortbow, belt of incredible dexterity +4, headband of vast intelligence +2, sb1, thieves' tools, 40,924 gp
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Special Abilities
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+2 bonus to sneak attack damage dealt to creatures with the outsider type. Add +1/2 to sneak attack damage dealt to creatures with the outsider type.
Alarm Sense (Su) Gain trap spotter effect if in 10 ft of magical trap.
Arcane Strike As a swift action, add +1 damage, +1 per 5 caster levels and your weapons are treated as magic for the purpose of overcoming damage reduction.
Bleeding Attack +3 (Ex) Sneak attacks also deal 3 bleed damage/round.
Combat Casting +4 to Concentration checks to cast while on the defensive.
Cowardly +5 ft base speed when frightened & fleeing, & the penalty for cower & fear conditions are +1
Darkvision (60 feet) You can see in the dark (black and white only).
Debilitating Injury: Bewildered -2/-6 (Ex) Foe who takes sneak attack damage takes AC pen (more vs. striker) for 1 rd.
Debilitating Injury: Disoriented -2/-6 (Ex) Foe who takes sneak attack damage takes attack pen (more vs. striker) for 1 rd.
Debilitating Injury: Hampered (Ex) Foe who takes sneak attack damage has speed halved (and can't 5 ft step) for 1 rd.
Energy Resistance, Cold (5) You have the specified Energy Resistance against Cold attacks.
Energy Resistance, Electricity (5) You have the specified Energy Resistance against Electricity attacks.
Energy Resistance, Fire (5) You have the specified Energy Resistance against Fire attacks.
Evasion (Ex) If succeed on Reflex save for half dam, take none instead.
Fast Stealth (Ex) Move at full speed while using the Stealth skill at no penalty.
Prehensile Tail Your tail can retrieve small objects on your person as a swift action.
Rogue Talents For Rogue Talents which require Ki, can use spell slots.
Sneak Attack (Unchained) +3d6 Attacks deal extra dam if flank foe or if foe is flat-footed.
Spell Focus (Illusion) Spells from one school of magic have +1 to their save DC.
Spells Can cast wizard spells with the number of slots of a magus.
Trapfinding +5 Gain a bonus to find or disable traps, including magical ones.
@Sicaria:
- A doppelganger will work for Magical Knack - but don't be surprised if it shows up again later!
@Vigo:
- Even with Vigo's motto of "all the fingers in all the pies", I'm having a hard time understanding how he simply has time to do all the things in his background: Elves haven't even been mentioned for the archetype that's all about being the most elfish elf to ever elf, and he's a noble, and he guides people through the Darklands (which are very big and very deep), and he a notable member of a large crime syndicate? Maybe we can narrow him down to two of these?
- Let's start by finding a different Intimidate trait - there's a reason that one was retired, and it's because it's twice as effective as the others on the market. You'll be fine with a +1 bonus (such as from Bully).
- I would recommend a more robust set of equipment, but I understand Vigo can only handle 10 more pounds before being heavily encumbered.
- I love the flavor, but I wouldn't hold my breath for finding a daemon before lvl 3. Best to have alternate feats in case the search for a patron takes longer than anticipated.
@Wolfgang:
- If you're not focused on casting offensive spells, why bother with Spell Focus?
Meloriel, what kind of character are you thinking of making?
@Vigo:- Even with Vigo's motto of "all the fingers in all the pies", I'm having a hard time understanding how he simply has time to do all the things in his background: Elves haven't even been mentioned for the archetype that's all about being the most elfish elf to ever elf, and he's a noble, and he guides people through the Darklands (which are very big and very deep), and he a notable member of a large crime syndicate? Maybe we can narrow him down to two of these?
His association to the Sczarni was to provide a story behind the Bad Reputation trait, so we can go ahead and cut out his ties to the crime family. Vigo has a love for lore and knowledge and books of all sorts, which was where the flavor of Ancient Lorekeeper and Lore Mystery came from. If the heritage on his elven side offered him insights into magic he couldn't find elsewhere, he'd be all over it, keeping the lore and legends for his own benefit.
Without having to flee Varisia, he'd lose the need to flee via Darklands, so we'll cut that out as well, and can go ahead and make him a natural born Chelish nationalist and noble.
Losing the Darklands Guide Racial Trait offers some other options, and I'm considering taking both Dual-Minded and Mismatched to better play into his conflicted and dualistic nature while remaining mechanically beneficial. His bitterness at his own unfairly formed body and mind could create a powerful, driven personality.
He'll have newly crafted story and appearance entries on his profile tonight. Also I'm going to drop Knowledge Local for Knowledge Planes, but with Sophisticate he'll still be able to make such checks untrained.
- Let's start by finding a different Intimidate trait - there's a reason that one was retired, and it's because it's twice as effective as the others on the market. You'll be fine with a +1 bonus (such as from Bully).
Bully it is.
- I would recommend a more robust set of equipment, but I understand Vigo can only handle 10 more pounds before being heavily encumbered.
You've caught me still in the process of filling out his inventory! More is being added yet.
- I love the flavor, but I wouldn't hold my breath for finding a daemon before lvl 3. Best to have alternate feats in case the search for a patron takes longer than anticipated.
Steadfast Personality is a strong contender.
I've purchased a Masterwork tool for Knowledge Religion that only applies on checks related to the 5 deities of the Godclaw. Is that okay?
@Wolfgang:
- If you're not focused on casting offensive spells, why bother with Spell Focus?
Huh. That's a perfectly reasonable question. Habit?
I should wait to see who Meloriel decides to play before making a final decision, but I will go ahead and switch out Spell Focus for Skill Focus (Perception) in Hero Lab and figure that will probably be how the final build will look. If he turns out to be the only arcane caster and it seems like the party needs the help, then he can always take Spell Focus at level 3 or 5 and start casting more offensive spells, but I doubt he'll need to.
@Wolfgang:
- If you're not focused on casting offensive spells, why bother with Spell Focus?
Huh. That's a perfectly reasonable question. Habit?
I should wait to see who Meloriel decides to play before making a final decision, but I will go ahead and switch out Spell Focus for Skill Focus (Perception) in Hero Lab and figure that will probably be how the final build will look. If he turns out to be the only arcane caster and it seems like the party needs the help, then he can always take Spell Focus at level 3 or 5 and start casting more offensive spells, but I doubt he'll need to.
Without trying to encroach on anyone's character territory, the Ancient Lorekeeper will allow me to pick up a small handful of Wizard spells as well, should we need.
Oh goodness gracious! I don’t know the source, but that new picture for Vigo is so creepy; I love it!
Without trying to encroach on anyone's character territory, the Ancient Lorekeeper will allow me to pick up a small handful of Wizard spells as well, should we need.
@Wolfgang:
- If you're not focused on casting offensive spells, why bother with Spell Focus?
Huh. That's a perfectly reasonable question. Habit?
I should wait to see who Meloriel decides to play before making a final decision, but I will go ahead and switch out Spell Focus for Skill Focus (Perception) in Hero Lab and figure that will probably be how the final build will look. If he turns out to be the only arcane caster and it seems like the party needs the help, then he can always take Spell Focus at level 3 or 5 and start casting more offensive spells, but I doubt he'll need to.
Sounds good - and that gives us eventual access to at least a couple of higher-level arcane spells that Wolfgang won’t ever get to cast.
I love this new direction for Vigo's personality and backstory! It feels more compelling to me as someone on the outside, which I hope will make him more memorable and meaningful to play. Once you've finished tying up loose ends, go ahead and post in the Gameplay thread to introduce yourself.
Meloriel, any thoughts on what kind of character/class/race/role you'd want to take on?
Wolfgang, it sounds like you're waiting to hear from Meloriel before finalizing your build - is this accurate?
Wolfgang, it sounds like you're waiting to hear from Meloriel before finalizing your build - is this accurate?
No, I think I'm basically finished - Meloriel's choices may impact what I do with Wolfgang as he levels up, but so will the way the whole party gels once we've actually started. For example, if it seems like he needs to focus more on spellcasting than I'm currently planning, the character can certainly evolve in that direction over time.
I should have my introductory gameplay post up this evening. Wolfgang's statblock is basically done, I'm just tweaking his equipment (any problem with him picking up a scroll of infernal healing or mage armor as part of his initial gear?) and will get his profile page and tagline done tonight or tomorrow morning, depending on whether my wife wants to finish our family trip to Hell tonight or wait until tomorrow.
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Sorry for the delay. Yesterday my family and I were out celebrating Canada Day, today was packed full of errands and doctors appointments, tomorrow's my 10 year wedding anniversary, and Thursday's my sister's grade 12 grad party. As mentioned, this week's crazy for the family and I don't have time to look into it until Friday. But, you can expect me to have a character posted by the end of the day Friday.
I'm planning on making something to fill in our gaps, which looks to be a melee character who can take a beating and hit really hard, possibly some casting, and nature/survival skills.
I'm contemplating bloodrager with a hag bloodline off the top of my head or a dragonheir scion fighter, but I haven't had a chance to sit down and plan yet.
Whatever I do decide to make it's very likely to be melee combat focused and have survival skills. I might decide to dabble in casting, but we'll see. I'm a sucker for a good battle-focused occultist.
Anyway, gotta run. I'll check back in before Friday if I have a chance.
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And here’s me forgetting that the green-eyed stranger was a woman when I wrote my post...Oops! XD
Sorry for the delay. Yesterday my family and I were out celebrating Canada Day, today was packed full of errands and doctors appointments, tomorrow's my 10 year wedding anniversary, and Thursday's my sister's grade 12 grad party. As mentioned, this week's crazy for the family and I don't have time to look into it until Friday. But, you can expect me to have a character posted by the end of the day Friday.
I'm planning on making something to fill in our gaps, which looks to be a melee character who can take a beating and hit really hard, possibly some casting, and nature/survival skills.
I'm contemplating bloodrager with a hag bloodline off the top of my head or a dragonheir scion fighter, but I haven't had a chance to sit down and plan yet.
Whatever I do decide to make it's very likely to be melee combat focused and have survival skills. I might decide to dabble in casting, but we'll see. I'm a sucker for a good battle-focused occultist.
Anyway, gotta run. I'll check back in before Friday if I have a chance.
Real life always takes precedence, enjoy your time with your family! Congratulations on the 10 years by the way, my 4 year anniversary was just a few days ago on June 30th. Hopefully we make it as long as you!
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Happy anniversary to both of you! Meloriel, good luck with your packed week!
Letting you guys know that I’ll be MIA from July 5th through the 8th—I’ve got a family reunion and I told myself that I’d put Paizo-related stuff aside for the weekend.
EDIT: I didn’t just accidentally post with my GM alias, what are you talking about?
Wolfgang’s profile page and tagline are up to date. I’ll add BBCode for his common rolls and some basic botting instructions (probably just “stab anything that moves then hide, or vice versa” or “cast ray of frost then hide”) over the Independence Day weekend.
Oh yeah, I should probably mention that I’m currently running Hell’s Rebels, the sister AP to this one, so I know some very minor spoilers (more like one spoiler) about Hell’s Vengeance (the GM is already aware of this because, well, he’s one of my players).
Small correction, I said Vigo was in Leather Parade Armor. He won't be wearing Light Armor until he can afford a shield made of darkwood (encumbrance and all that). For now he's in Scale Mail and using a Heavy Wooden Shield.
Considering this is an actual AP and we'll be able to keep track of things, are Story Feats allowed? Vigo is particularly interested in Innocent Blood.
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Settling in to prep my character and a family emergency came up. Going to delay me, but not sure for how long. I don't want to hold up the game any longer than I have so I'm going to have to bow out. I wish you all the best and hope you have a blast -- this is going to be a fun campaign! Sorry for wasting everyone's time.
Gotta run, and I hope to see you around the boards in the future.
Settling in to prep my character and a family emergency came up. Going to delay me, but not sure for how long. I don't want to hold up the game any longer than I have so I'm going to have to bow out. I wish you all the best and hope you have a blast -- this is going to be a fun campaign! Sorry for wasting everyone's time.
Gotta run, and I hope to see you around the boards in the future.
No need to apologize, you can't control what life throws at you. I hope whatever came up works out well, good luck and best wishes!
I told Meloriel she's welcome to join us anytime when life settles down again, but until then we need a fourth player. I will send a few more inquiries.
I hope everything works out for her, and that she is able to join us later. Any luck finding a fourth? The boards have been pretty quiet over the holiday weekend.
The folks I've approached have either told me they're uncomfortable with an evil campaign - which is very fair, and something I myself would not be comfortable playing - or just don't have the bandwidth right now for another campaign - which is better to be aware of now rather than 3 weeks into the adventure when the posting falls off dramatically.
Does anyone have someone in mind? Send me a PM with a link to your favorite post of theirs and I'll check them out! If they seem like a good fit, I'll send an inquiry and we'll see who is interested.
Push come to shove we could do public recruitment.
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Greetings fellow evil-doers and dastardly villians! GM Hawthwile asked if I would be possibly interested in joining this fiendish campaign. To which I replied with a resounding Hell yes!
So looking at the current party configuration a good old melee beatstick
looks like it could fit very nicely. With two humans, a tiefling, and a half elf, I'll mix it up a bit. How bout a tengu! Variety is the spice right
Concept:
Bloodrager (Urban/Blood Conduit)
Str 18, Dex 16, Con 14, Int 7, Wis 9, Cha 7
Big, dumb, and ugly
Feats: Toughness
Traits: Mutant eye, Reactionary, and a third from the guide yet undecided on :)
Racial: Claws
AC 18, HP 15, Fort 4, Ref 3, Wis -1
Attacks: Bite 1d3+4, Claw 1d3+4, Claw 1d3+4
Rage 6 rounds
Basically my pc if you think it would fit, would be the bodyguard and loyal protector of the group. Born with an infernal taint in his blood that caused quite dramatic abnormalities within the tengu at birth, he was born quite large for his kin, nearly feather-less, and with a mutated third eye. The tengu was lucky to have survived childbirth where he was shortly sold to slavers, and raised in the fighting pits. The tengu knew nothing short of constant hell growing up. Everything changed when he was purchased by a witch looking for fresh stock from the slave markets for her rituals and experiments. Happening by chance upon the tengu and sensing his uncanny resemblance and connection to the demon Vrock, the witch believed there meeting to be the work of fate. Enamored with her new bodyguard the tengu lived quite a fulfilling and happy existence until some upstart pathfinders looking to make a name for themselves killed his master. Alone, and enraged the tengu has sworn a bloodoath of revenge
Welcome to the Evil League of Evil, Garr! I think your concept looks good. Are you planning to stick with natural attacks as you level up, or add weapons as well?
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I've never done the natural attack build so I'll probaly find ways of getting some more as we progress but the base tengu attacks should hopefully do early game. If everyone likes it I'll have the pc made to go in a flash, just happened to find the perfect avatar pic though and wanted to show it off. That is sometimes the most difficult part, especially one with a third eye haha :)